Over 300,000 attendees flocked to Eurovision-related events in Liverpool during May, delivering a substantial £55 million economic boost to the local area, as reported by the city's council.
Liverpool played host to the annual song contest along with a series of concerts and cultural festivities, drawing in enthusiastic fans from various parts of the world.
Research commissioned by Liverpool City Council revealed that a total of 306,000 individuals visited the city center for Eurovision events, collectively spending £54.8 million at local establishments, including bars, hotels, restaurants, and shops.
These figures far exceeded the council's initial expectations, which had predicted 100,000 visitors and a £25 million economic impact for the year. Before the event, the council estimated that £2 million would be spent on Eurovision-related costs, with an additional £2 million provided by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Liverpool was selected to host the two semi-finals and the grand final, stepping in for the UK on behalf of the 2022 winners, Ukraine. In addition to the televised shows, a fan village offered daily performances along the waterfront, and a two-week cultural festival, as well as other related events, enriched the Eurovision experience.
The council's research highlighted the following:
Eurovision events saw a total of 473,000 attendees, with some individuals participating in multiple events.
Of the visitors, 31,000 arrived from outside the UK, representing 49 countries at the main live shows.
In May, 175,000 city-center hotel rooms were booked, marking the best month since 2018.
The fan village attracted 250,000 visitors over ten days.
A total audience of 326,000 attended 24 events in the two-week cultural festival.
Education and community programs engaged directly with 50,000 people.
A significant 96% of visitors expressed their intention to recommend Liverpool as a destination.
Council leader Liam Robinson emphasized that the figures "speak for themselves" and noted the positive impact on job creation and local businesses, asserting that Liverpool would likely see a return of many of the attendees who had a great time in the city.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram added that the Eurovision experience in Liverpool had provided a substantial boost to the local economy, offering a memorable event for fans both in-person and watching from home.
Culture Minister Stuart Andrew praised the research findings, highlighting the positive influence of hosting major events and expressing hope for continued success in this regard.
Liverpool, which hosted Eurovision for the first time in 25 years, held the main shows at the M&S Bank Arena. The competition was ultimately won by Loreen from Sweden, with Malmo chosen as the host city for next year's contest. Photo by Miguel Mendez from Malahide, Ireland, Wikimedia commons.